Where can I interact with elephants in Kenya?
Where can I interact with elephants in Kenya? Elephant is the largest terrestrial animal in the world, the African elephant also known as African Loxodonta, is a real icon of the continent and one of the Big Five. It is a very amazing animal to witness in person and has long been the centrepiece of the African safari. Seeing one in the wild draws many tourists to Africa due of its impressive stature, power, and elegance.
Amboseli National Park
Amboseli National Park is one of the most popular parks in Kenya is Amboseli National Park. Situated in the southern region of Kenya is the park. Amboseli is magnificently crowned by Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s tallest peak. One of East Africa’s best locations for up-close views of sizable elephant herds is Amboseli. The environment of the park is home to over 1600 free-ranging elephants. After an amazing vacation to Amboseli National Park, one of the highlights is seeing the elephants there. When on safari, seek out the broad savannah grasslands where elephants spend much of their time sunbathing and grazing. Savour up-close views of a sizable herd of African elephants against the backdrop of Mount Kilimanjaro.
Tsavo National Parks
Tsavo National Park is the largest national park in Kenya covering an approximate area of 22,000 Square kilometres, making it one of largest national parks in East Africa . Due to its enormous size, the park is separated into two sections: Tsavo East and Tsavo West. The Nairobi-Mombasa highway acts as the park’s border. The red elephants of Tsavo are well-known. They are the same colour as every other elephant in the world, but the fine red volcanic soil in the park gives them a red appearance due to regular dust-bathing. Large herds of Tsavo’s red elephants may be visible in the park, as it is home to about 10,000 of them.
Maasai Mara National Reserve
Elephants are commonly spotted on the grasslands, marshes, and riverine forests of the Masai Mara, which is home to a diverse range of animals and attractions. The combine efforts of the government, the Masai people, and rangers have greatly keep the number of elephants rising gradually. The greatest attraction of Maasai Mara National Reserve is the Great Migration where two million wildebeest, zebra, and other antelope migrate annually from Tanzania to Kenya.
Samburu National Reserve
Samburu National Reserve which is known for its special seven animals is located on northern border in Kenya, is another area to witness elephants in East Africa. Because of its distance, unspoiled wilderness, the park and its environment provide the ideal habitat for elephants to thrive. Save the Elephants is an organisation dedicated to monitoring, researching, and safeguarding the elephant in Samburu National Reserve. They make sure that Samburu people and herders live in peace. Other than elephants that are likely to be spotted in Samburu National Reserve, there are other wildlife too. Elephants, Samburu special, and even big cats await you on your northern boundary wildlife adventure.
Chyulu Hills National Park
It is considered one of the most beautiful and scenic National park in Kenya. It is nestled between Amboseli National Park and Tsavo West National Park are the breathtaking volcanic peaks known as the Chyulu Hills. Together with Taita and Amboseli National Park, Chyulu Hills National Park creates an 8,000-square-kilometer habitat that crosses the border into Tanzania. Directly east of Amboseli National Park are the Chyulu Hills. Lush evergreen woods envelop the world’s lava tunnels and ancient volcano cones and craters, offering the perfect environment for animals like elephants.
The Chyulu Hills are home to a significant number of elephants, some of which are known to gather in big breeding herds. You will be enthralled by these elephants’ massive tusks when you encounter them during a Kenya tour. Elephants and other park animals are compelled to relocate to the plains of Amboseli and Tsavo national parks since the lava in the Chyulu Hills cannot contain water.
The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust
The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust is found in Nairobi at KWS Central Workshop Gate, 55 Magadi Road. A sanctuary for abandoned young elephants saved from Kenya’s parks and reserves, it is an elephant nursery that borders Nairobi National Park. A milk-dependent new born elephant’s development begins in the nursery, where they are individually raised. Elephants are eventually released into the wild after spending two to three years in the nursery. After that, they are taken to one of the DSWT’s reintegration camps located in Tsavo East National Park. The Kibwezi Forest also has Ithumba and Umani Springs as additional reintegration units. Daily hours for the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust are one hour, from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. You will be able to watch the babies getting a mud bath or soil dusting at this time, as well as being hand-fed by their carers. For those 12 years of age and up, the entrance charge is Kshs 1500; for those under 12, it is Kshs 500.
Lewa Wildlife Conservancy
The 62,000-acre Lewa Wildlife Conservancy is located in northern Kenya and offers stunning views of the dry regions of Tassia and Il Ngwesi to the north and the snow-capped Mount Kenya to the south. Lewa Conservancy is one of the most significant wildlife reserves in the world because it is home to a variety of wild ecosystems, such as highland forests, vast open grasslands, acacia woodland, and melted water mountain springs. These habitats support a diverse diversity of mammals and birds.
Founded in 1983 as a rhino sanctuary, Lewa Conservancy has gained recognition for its productive rhino and Grevy’s zebra breeding initiatives. Out of the 70 wildlife species that call the conservancy home, only about 500 have been officially documented. Among them are elephants.
Ol Pejeta Conservancy
Laikipia County is home to Ol Pejeta, one of Kenya’s biggest and most well-known conservancies. In addition to numerous other endangered species, such as elephants, it is home to around 130 black and white rhinoceroses. Elephants graze on the savannah grasslands near Ol Pejeta, and visitors can even go on a walking safari to get up close and personal with the animals. The conservancy is renowned for its work in conservation, particularly for its innovative rhino preservation initiative. When living at Sweetwaters Tented Camp, during the dry season, elephants frequently visit the camp’s sizable waterhole for a drink. One of the greatest spots to see is this waterhole.
Kenya safari visitors to Ol Pejeta Conservancy have a chance to witness other big five animals like lions, leopards, Rhinos and cape buffalo in addition to the elephants. Safari activities are available at the reserve, such as guided bush walks, day and night game drives, lion tracking, and visits to the only two northern white rhinoceroses. There are also cultural excursions and educational events.
Mount Kenya National Park
The second-highest mountain in Africa is found in Mount Kenya National Park, which is situated in central Kenya. Along with an abundance of other animals, the park is among the greatest sites to view elephants. Hyenas, leopards, and cape buffaloes are examples of other animals found here . A safari, a mountain trek, or a visit to one of the park’s several waterfalls are available to visitors visiting Mount Kenya.
